May 7th, 2013 01:45 PM

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft is retooling the latest version of its Windows operating system to address the complaints and confusion that have been blamed for deepening a slump in personal computer sales.

The tune up announced Tuesday are part of a software package known as “Blue” scheduled to be released in time for the holiday season. It’s meant to fix perceived shortcomings in Windows 8, a radical overhaul of Microsoft Corp.’s ubiquitous operating system released last October.

Windows 8 is supposed to make Microsoft a more prominent player in the growing mobile device market while maintaining the Redmond, Washington state, company’s dominance in PCs.

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But Windows 8’s new design emphasizing interactive tiles and touch controls seems to have befuddled as many people as it has impressed.